Usually, Primary elections sneak by the general population without much notice. But for Florida, the 2012 Primary brought historic results.
Democrat David Richardson edged past three other challengers in an open primary to take Florida House District 113 in Miami-Dade to become the state’s first openly gay legislator. He earned 33% of the vote.
There is no Republican registered for the race so the 55-year-old CPA is guaranteed a spot in Tallahassee. His district covers Miami Beach, Downtown Miami and Little Havana.
“For the first time in the history of our state we have an openly gay State House Representative,” said an enthusiastic Michael Kenny, executive director of SAVE Dade, an LGBT rights group. “David will not only be representing the residents of District 113, he will be the voice for all of Florida’s LGBT residents.”
Kenny said that Richardson’s election puts LGBTs into the conversation in Tallahassee, something that has never happened before.
“Until today, LGBT Floridians were shouting from the spectators section,” Kenny said. “Now, with David Richardson’s victory, we are on the playing field.”
